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When choosing a housemate, it is wise to consider your own needs and preferences in living arrangements. While this seems obvious, it is important to consider these issues in specific terms and to discuss them openly with anyone with whom you are considering sharing a place. Below is a list of possible questions you may want to ask yourself and/or your prospective housemates.

What sort of music do you like? At what volume do you play your music?

Do you like to study at home? If so, do you need quiet while you study or do you like music in the background?

Do you smoke? Do you have strong feelings about people smoking in your home?

What sort of hours do you keep? Are they erratic, especially late or early? Does it matter to you if your housemate's hours are very different from yours?

What kind of cooking arrangements would you prefer? Would you like to share grocery expenses, even cook cooperatively, or would you prefer to keep supplies and utensils completely separate?

What are your expectations of the amount of privacy you will have in your home? How important is privacy or time alone to you?

How do you feel about someone else borrowing your possessions?

Do you have any special hobbies or habits that might be an imposition on a housemate?

What are your expectations as to the cleanliness and neatness of your home? How would you like to divide the responsibilities of cleaning and caring for your place? Do you like your home immaculate, neat for guests, or "lived-in?"

Do you want to spend joint money decorating your home?

How do you feel about having guests in the residence on a frequent basis? Do you have a boy/girlfriend that spends the night frequently? Would you mind if your housemate does?

How do you feel about the use of drugs or alcohol in your home?

Do you have a pet? Are you willing to live with a housemate who has a pet?